The 2025 Solomon Cup semifinals delivered a thrilling day of football action at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara on Tuesday 22 July 2025, with two intense clashes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
It was a day that displayed the passion of Solomon Islands football at its finest.
In the first semifinal, Makira-Ulawa Kakamora pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat Guadalcanal Hornets 4-2, overturning a two-goal deficit in the second half. It was an extraordinary performance of resilience, energy, and belief from a side that had never won a Solomon Cup title, despite lossing to Malaita Eagles in the grandfinals of the 2022 edition.
In the second match of the day, Malaita Eagles showed their trademark discipline and composure to edge past Western Tomoko with a narrow 1-0 victory.
A late goal proved to be the difference in a highly unpredictable and competitive showdown, sealing yet another grand final appearance for the football giants from Malaita.
At the end of both matches, the stage is now set for a gripping 2025 Solomon Cup grand final between Makira-Ulawa Kakamora and Malaita Eagles.
Kakamora Stuns Hornets with Incredible Comeback Victory
The first semifinal of the day will go down as one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.
The first half was tightly contested, with both teams battling evenly in from the defence, midfield, and forwards. Kakamora created the better chances but failed to convert, while the Hornets struggled to threaten the Kakamora goal with any clear-cut opportunities.
However, things changed dramatically in the second half.
Guadalcanal Hornets regrouped after the break and shocked the crowd with two quick goals from Terrison Weni (9) in the 54th and 57th minutes, taking a commanding 2-0 lead.
But the game was far from over.
Kakamora, backed by a wave of vocal supporters, staged a phenomenal comeback. They pulled one back in the 68th minute courtesy of super sub Stanley Wairowo, then Levis Ngauworo equalised in the 74th minute just after the official water break, swinging momentum in their favour.
The third goal came in the 80th minute from Levis again, as the Hornets lost structure and confidence. With Guadalcanal visibly rattled and losing concentration, Kakamora capitalised once more, sealing the game with their fourth goal in the 90th minute by Andrew Hanua.
It was a stunning turnaround that secured Makira-Ulawa Kakamora their second appearance in the history of the Solomon Cup grand finals.
Kakamora Head Coach, Kluivert Dagi Junior, was all smiles at full-time, describing his team’s dramatic comeback victory in just one word – fantastic.
“When we were two-nil down, it doesn’t matter because we are playing football. My boys did exceptionally well – from the trainings to the score boar, I salute them,” an excited Kluivert said in his post-match interview.
The coach admitted that missed opportunities in the first half affected the team’s morale, but a halftime talk refocused the squad.
“So we went back in the second half, the boys have fully tuned in (focused), and that’s what made the result today,” he explained.
Kluivert also singled out his super substitute, Lewis Ngauworo, who came off the bench to score two crucial goals and change the game.
“Lewis is my hidden striker, and I know when to put him in and yes, he has delivered. These guys are my players, so I know about them very well on when to use them or keep them as reserves,” Kluivert said.
As the team looks ahead to the grand final, the coach remains grounded but confident.
“We have a lot of areas that we need to work on, and I will have to talk to my boys to keep their heads up while we prepare for the big match. I must honestly say that the boys are ready for the finals,” he said.
He ended by thanking supporters and urging fans to come out in numbers for the upcoming decider.
Eagles Edge Tomoko in Tight Contest
In the second semifinal, Malaita Eagles edged out Western Tomoko with a narrow but hard-fought 1-0 win.
The lone goal was scored by Trevor Suluhia.
The match was a tense, physical affair with both sides battling for control. The breakthrough came late in the second half when the Eagles capitalized on a moment of brilliance in the box to find the back of the net.
Tomoko mounted pressure in the final minutes, but the Eagles’ solid defence and disciplined game management ensured they held on to book their place in the final.
Eagles Head Coach, Terry Oiaka, was full of praise for his team following their dramatic late win, crediting the players for digging deep to secure the hard-earned victory.
“I am happy with the game. But I think we struggled a bit as we played a game that is totally not what we have planned – it demanded the mentality of the boys to stay in the game until we scored the winner,” Oiaka reflected after the final whistle.
Despite not sticking strictly to the tactical plan, Oiaka commended the resilience and mental toughness shown by his players, especially under pressure.
He revealed that his halftime message was clear – maintain possession and stay disciplined in executing their original strategy.
“My message to the boys at half time was to keep the ball for a longer period and keep executing the game as planned to make the creativity that we needed up front,” he explained.
While the execution didn’t fully materialize, Oiaka said the fighting spirit of the team made the difference in the end.
“That still didn’t work, but the boys did fought hard and managed to score the goal in the dying minutes,” he added with pride.
Looking ahead, the coach emphasized that recovery is now the top priority as they prepare for the finals.
“Our focus now is to have the much-needed rest to regain the energy required for the big match,” Oiaka concluded.
Final Set: Malaita Eagles vs Makira-Ulawa Kakamora
With both teams now through, football fans across the country can look forward to an exciting 2025 Solomon Cup final showdown between Malaita Eagles and Makira-Ulawa Kakamora.
The grandfinal is a repeat of the 2022 edition of the Solomon Cup, where Malaita Eagles won 2-1 against a well grilled Makira-Ulawa Kakamora.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are traditional powerhouses of the competition having won the competition five times, while Kakamora are riding high on momentum and determination, looking to create history with their first title.
The final promises to be a battle of grit, skill, and pride — with national bragging rights on the line.
According to the SIFF Media, the venue for the losers and grand finals will be confirmed today (24 July 2025).
📅 Solomon Cup 2025
Losers Final
🏆 Guadalcanal Hornets vs Western Tomoko
📍 TBC
🗓️ Friday 25 July 2025
🕑 Kickoff: 11:00 AM
Grand Final
🏆 Makira-Ulawa Kakamora vs Malaita Eagles
📍 TBC
🗓️ Friday 25 July 2025
🕑 Kickoff: 2:00 PM
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